TJLC Explained: [Episode 19] The Reichenbach Fall REDUX

New version of the episode with slightly better sound quality.
Need to see the old version for some reason? You can!
• TJLC Explained: [Episo...
TJLC stands for The Johnlock Conspiracy or the belief that the writers of BBC Sherlock have intended for John and Sherlock to end up in a romantic relationship with each other since the start.
SOURCES
1. Artfulkindoforder's google drive of LSIT metas (READ M THEORY)
drive.google.c...
2. Stacey @shlto's post about why Moriarty had to "die"
shlto.tumblr.co...
3. Stacey @Shlto's post about Moriarty's death and it's importance to the narrative
shlto.tumblr.co...

[@Psychesrose]

Seriously, purely platonic feelings do not reach the levels of obsession we see between these two. When platonic friends become extremely close, the relationship takes on a familial air, with people closer in age acting like siblings like Sherlock and Lestrade and farther in age as more parent and child like John and Mrs. Hudson. However romantic/sexual feelings create situations in the brain similar to drug addiction. Sherlock and John don't act like brothers, and several characters have noted the obsession they have for each other. THEY ARE NOT PLATONIC!

[@emz33]

Well put :)

[@violettaschmieder2096]

Yeah, with platonic friendship, the tension resolves as they get closer, because you become more comfortable with each other and you tear all the walls down as there is less and less you feel like you have to hide from that person. John and Sherlocks relationship is the absolute contrary though, as their relationship and their feelings for each other intensify, Sherlock has to hide much more from John, and they are also drifting further away from each other, with there being much more problems and disagreements between them.

[@seapinecone2869]

I disagree on the platonic thing always turning familial - but that’s my opinion. However, the AMOUNTS OF FLIRTING and their dynamic is evidently not platonic LMAO

[@yoonahkang7384]

Its not obsession, its love. Obsession is sick, its what moriarty has for sherlock

[@Satopi3104]

Martin Freeman is such an amazing actor - his voice when he says "You need to- doesn't she mean anything to you? You once half-killed a man because he laid a finger on her." sounds nothing like how John usually sounds. It sounds so vulnerable and hurt and betrayed and YOUNG - he actually sounds like a younger person here, maybe that younger person John used to be before he learned to build walls around him and hide behind the gruff military persona. It's very emotionally raw, not like some other times when John is really emotional, but he's furiously trying to get a grip, and his voice goes lower and rougher, really choked sounding (like when he's talking to Sherlock's grave). Here, in an emergency, he doesn't have the time to get control over his voice, so it comes out much more smoothly and freely, and when it does, it just sounds so vulnerable. And it makes sense too - he's thinking if Sherlock could have faked his love for Mrs. Hudson, then he could have faked his love for John too, and that thought just absolutely devastates John, enough to get him to finally abandon Sherlock. I have watched this scene so many times, but I just happened to watch it now without looking at the screen, and I noticed the difference in his timbre for the first time. This show just keeps on giving, you can watch it for the nth time and you will notice something knew.

[@helston27]

The Pop Vinyl figures in the background is basically this episode... Sherlock on a shelf above, John looking up at him, and Moriarty in the crown.

[@snowiiiiie]

Haley Elston yeah, she always arranges them to match the video :D

[@sw3602]

nO 😭

[@dysenteryworld]

goddamn it this reading of the show is worlds more interesting than what actually became of the show. the writers passed up the chance to write a masterpiece and it still disappoints me to this day.

[@mikaylaisthequeen1588]

While John is on the phone with Sherlock before he "falls" You can hear Johns heart beat playing in the background. Just another great detail put in there.

[@BeveraVera]

i didnt think reichenbach fall could get any more heartbreaking, and yet

[@shadowkittycat97]

I love that you can actually see Donovan look at John like "oh, fuck" just before he punches that guy

[@mj_mewa]

Why did you told me about John's theme in that moment on the rooftop?! WHY?! I'M CRYING I CAN'T HANDLE IT!

[@mj_mewa]

I JUST SAW THAT MRS. HUDSON SAW THE MOMENT WHEN JOHN PUT HAND ON SHERLOCK'S GRAVE I JUST I JUST OH GOD WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!

[@christinalauly]

the point with john's theme when sherlock steps onto the edge absolutely breaks me.

[@samanthajones387]

Sherlock talking about throwing the hat "like a Frisbee" is funny considering in his dream he literally throws it off a cliff

[@potatoesmayfly]

'Keep your eyes fixed on me' I'm not crying you're crying

[@kayleegirard9231]

**Sniffles** No you're crying. I don't cry. **Starts to sob** 😢😢

[@teaganlee4219]

The piano with John and the violin with Sherlock bit actually made me tear up a bit oh my goodness

[@Ari_C]

You know. Even though Moriarty really is dead, he still did follow through with a plan of "coming back" right when things were starting to look up. Just in the form of tapes and Eurus' horrible "experiments" rather than actually physically coming back and messing with Sherlock.

[@sashawallace1916]

Oh god I just remembered the phone equals heart thesis and that just made me even sadder when Sherlock is about to jump.

[@violettaschmieder2096]

I keep thinking that one of the creators could go online and watch things like this and read meta to find out how much we have picked up on, and imagine them smirking and maybe even finding connections we've drawn, where there were no real connections intended, or where they cant remember that they were intended, and ask the other one "have we done that on purpose?" And then try to think real hard because they created so many connections and symbols, its hard to remember. "Let me go into my mind cottage real quick Mark..."

[@spiritualsyrup6287]

The Sherlock pop figure is on the top of the bookcase that is not ok!

[@tangent7078]

thanks for the tears holy sh*t that "i o u" falling in love thing messed me up

[@supern0vasam]

My god. Been watching all the TJLC Explained series up to now in the last week, I am so obsessed. I really believe in TJLC but I am still afraid that it won't happen and that would break my poor little heart

[@keelywilliams9855]

don't worry smol child. It will happen!!1!

[@keelywilliams9855]

+FW GolfGirl yes, I know I have too. but we just have to wait and then we get to prove all the antis wrong 😂

[@mikaylaisthequeen1588]

Same. I'm so scared that the romance won't actually be shown on the show and yet every time I watch one of these videos it makes me think that it's impossible for it not to happen. At this point they've added so much romantic subtext and hints that them not using it in future episodes (and the ending of the story) would be ridiculous.

[@flowerbreanna]

same! i'm too scared to get deeply involved with TJLC incase we are all wrong and i really really dont want to be disapointed with the ending! yet i find myself binge watching these videos... yeah my plan on not getting involved isnt working.

[@marthaowen2525]

@@keelywilliams9855 well these comments didn’t age well... we can still hope for s5 tho :(

[@PoppinRandomBubbles]

That background with the figurines almost has me crying xD

[@tinaishkeepitup]

But Moriarty did die. The abominable bride tells us that Sherlock figured out how moriarty was able to live on. Through a network of likeminded people who he instructed on what to do after his death. That was what the abominable bride was about... sherlock figuring that out.

[@sebbys_mama]

Martin's acting in this episode absolutely breaks me 😢

[@catfeldman3614]

39:01 John is too short, needs Sherlock's help to climb a fence. Such cuties.

[@crowleykinnie]

55:28 you can also notice how small Sherlock's pupils are when looking at Moriarty, this is a sign of how much Sherlock hates him. This could be caused by the brightness of the light, but the light that's shining on Moriarty's face isn't all that bright after all. Yes, Moriarty's pupils are also decreased, but this time it's because of the extremly bright white angel-ish light that is shining onto Sherlock's face.

[@hexgirlveronica]

I love how you always position the Sherlock funko pop figures on your shelf to match what episode you're talking about. You did it with Irene and now with sherlock on the top shelf and John watching :') bless

[@samanthajones387]

okay. That was super painful. I'm going to rematch it twenty more times. Ta

[@SionEoinPaytonJesse]

I want to add some things. I will say at the beginning, as a gay man who has yet to see a long-game gay romance on screen, who hasn't had that kind of release straight people get from X-Files (not that I don't love Mulder and Scully), I want this to happen. Here's where I worry that it won't happen: 1) I worry that Mark Gatiss is a coward and is trying to fall back on this idea of Sherlock and John having a close, platonic friendship bond. I actually get so upset at him about this worry that I rolled my eyes when he appeared on Game of Thrones and stopped following him on twitter. 2) Batman and Joker--my partner and I are actually childhood friends and he's a real-life thought-I-was-straight-but-I'm-bi kind of man, which he realized when he fell in love with me--and the thing that brought us together was our love of Batman comics. He still hasn't read all the issues I've collected over the years, though he's making his way steadily through them. I've lived the long game and I love it and I long to see it reflected in popular media. I think the story of overcoming social taboo for love is still a very persuasive one, especially if it's told through long-term tension. But BBC Sherlock has a trope to fall back on. That everything Moriarty feels toward Sherlock could be pure, morbid fascination. I think it could end up like Batman and Joker. This is persuasive to straight cis men in their audience. It would still WORK. The story would still be immersive to those people. 3) General bigotry--standard, you know it, I know it. We never get leading characters in a long-running and popular series actually being gay. We never get the feel of the epic romantic tension when LGB romance is on-screen, to say nothing of the T (and I am trans myself, so believe me when I say we haven't had any satisfying representation there yet). So I do worry. I am glad I watched your video and I'm glad I'm reading M Theory. I didn't know everything you talked about and I certainly had no clue about the score. That's helping. But I am scared to believe. I remember being a teenager, terrified to get caught even watching Brokeback Mountain, which isn't even that good, anyway. I remember clinging to Torchwood. I worry that Gatiss is too secure in his position and doesn't give a shit about truly giving these characters the epic romance they could have. I worry that it's all queer-baiting. And I'm sure you've heard all this before. But those are my concerns. I still love your work, you're doing great. My husband agrees. I made him watch this entire thing.

[@Liam_Phoenix]

I can't begin to imagine the soul crushing disappointment you feel

[@lenaschubert5533]

should probably study for my philosophy test tomorrow. NAH JUST ONE MORE EPISODE

[@rachelmcgahey6302]

Lena Schubert this is philosophy

[@adrianoines521]

I'm rewatching all of these and crying I am not okay sis

[@catfeldman3614]

The placement of the funko pops hurt my heart

[@NovasMerakiElixir]

Oh wow. Ouch.

[@AJ_andmia]

I'm so mad. WHY DID YOU RECREATE THE FALL WITH THE POP FIGURES

[@kayleegirard9231]

I *LOVE* your profile pic!!!! I am a huge Potterhead! 😄

[@sneakywesal]

one fucking hour . . . . . . . . where is my popcorn?

[@leoniegrosse9121]

🍿

[@a.z.fellco.1704]

thanks

[@sporesims9303]

"One big lie. John and Sherlock aren't in love." but poeple believe it because it's wrapped in the truth. They don't show feelings for eachother (not directly)

[@sarah.labrosse]

This is totally random and completely unrelated to the video but I love your eyebrows.

[@isabelleschwarz3207]

Can't stop looking again and again at that tiny sequence with John and Sherlock and the double-decker bus with "There is a light" by The Smiths added to it as soundtrack. It is so heart-warming.

[@isabelleschwarz3207]

39.56 And still holding hands

[@snowiiiiie]

24:09 "Am I invisible?" Well, John, we've established you're bi, so apparently yes 😂

[@teddy9770]

I love that although the show is just filled with plots, hints, suggestions, conversations and characters about gay love, the creators as well as the actors won't admit any kind of homosexual feelings of either Jon or Sherlock, nor any other main character in the show. As you cleverly explained, even the main storyline is about a male stalker who is obsessed with Sherlock, throwing homosexual references all over the place. If it wasn't for John, people would ship Sherlock and Moriarty because of all the sexual tension in their scenes. There's no way to downplay certain scenes as a typical 'bromance' between Sherlock and John. But the most remarkable thing is that although the creators deny every romantic connection between their characters, these character most of the time don't. But I can't help to wonder if the creators tried to turn around their slowly built up Johnlock finale last minute because Episode 1 of Season 4 was a huge disappointment in that department. With John seemingly starting an affair with yet another woman while his wife is still alive, what seemed so not true to his character, and throwing out Sherlock out of his life after Mary's death, they might be trying to establish him as straight. Watching your videos made me believe in Johnlock for a brief moment, but seeing the new episode destroyed all my hopes, even though Mary's now out of the picture. I just don't think the creators or actors would actually want to go far enough for Johnlock to happen. Honestly, I doubt if there will be a season 5 at all, because the actors seem to be tired of it. But no matter what happens and how and when this all will end, we will never lose all the fun and the good experiences we had while shipping Johnlock or Sherlolly or whoever.

[@Raindr0psssssssss]

Thanks for giving me an excuse to casually rewatch your TRF video

[@suzannerischard8217]

awww. half way through I saw your pop vinyls in the back ground. Sherlock and John... broke my heart.

[@gabrielegarcia358]

it's even more painful to watch the explanation of the episode knowing what will happen next and seeing all you've missed 😭

[@brandonmiles86]

Even Sherlock misses stuff sometimes. :)

[@raheldoege5520]

Damn I just love you and the videos you make. I watched them in a row since sunday. And I just can´t stop. Thanks again for pointing out where I can find those videos. But seriously, I love you!!!! and Jhnlock. And TJLC. hehe...

[@GagsyDeshpande]

I can't be the only one who cried at least 15 times during this whole video! 😭

[@emz33]

You pointing out how the violin overlays John's theme during the rooftop scene completely destroyed me........

[@ericjonsson1060]

The fact that Moriarty carves in "I O U" in an apple is also pretty suggestive, since symbolically apples are "the forbidden fruit". Also reinforcing the idea that Moriarty is the sexual desires that Sherlock tries to repress. Or what do you think?

[@sporesims9303]

as a german i always need to smile when i hear how english people say: "Reichenbach." :) It sounds so cute :D

[@snowiiiiie]

Spore sims Reikenbak :D although Ben's pronunciation was actually quite okay in comparison to the others :'D

[@sporesims9303]

snowie yeah XD

[@m1randa638]

Also saw an ad with ur intro song the other day and got rly sad

[@zchangam]

Why am I just noticing John and Sherlock's positioning?!! NOOOO!!! Rebekah you are so very captivating and clever - breaking my hear REdux!

[@mandynelson2680]

For the love of God never take these down. Season 4 didn't happen.. Shhhh let me watch all your vids and sink into the right universe.

[@blessedpotato6752]

Mandy Nelson same.

[@yuqingwang6849]

58:36 Is it just me or does anyone else notice that Sherlock has John on speed dial? Notice the phone noise there, the sound is way too fast for hand pressing the numbers.

[@ShemsuHor1403]

When John is devastted and looks at the people and Sherlock disappearing into the hospital it begins to rain... now we know that water=feelings....or love. What might we deduce about the scene with the new hints ;-)

[@SionEoinPaytonJesse]

You're great at choosing clips, your analysis is clear and concise, your speaking voice is solid--I'm glad someone recommended your videos to me (wendymarlowe from ao3) because they're great!

[@achaoticbee]

OH MY GOD THE SMITHS REFERENCE!!! Fantastic theory, brilliantly supported by M-theory. Love your channel!!

[@edens6thday]

welp, so much for getting a jumpstart on my work this morning. *must watch this first* :)

[@leoniegrosse9121]

Well, what a good start! But where I live it's currently 6 pm, sooo... not quite morning :D

[@vickilljoy6099]

can i just say that i love the little details in the background you have for every video

[@arcadeeditsyt]

I always comeback to this one to rewatch The Smiths part, my heart

[@emilybartlett7524]

The most heartbreaking episode. I cried 😥

[@m4degurl]

just found your channel yesterday and I'm going through all your videos. You actually convinced me and this video made me CRY like a baby. Thank you. Keep it up! :)

[@RandomNexus]

Okay, yeah, I had something in my eye, too. Ahem. Well done, very well done.

[@linh637]

When I heard the Smith's reference and the Smith's came on I sang the lyrics quite loud and I'm pretty sure I woke a couple people up. Why am I like this.

[@carpefuego]

Thank you so much for all the work you do in these videos, and your cohorts. These have really just made me squeal and laugh and feel like there is hope. hehehe Tah!

[@hugging_a_namujoon]

I was postponing watching this because Reichenfeels, but when I did watch it I almost lost it. Not even because of this episode, but because of that song - Sinnerman. You have to know that before I became so invested in Sherlock, my favourite show was Lucifer. Back to the point, Sinnerman sounded familiar to me but I couldn't quite sort it somewhere, so I went on Spotify expecting to find like ten different songs called that that I'd have to search through - but no. The first thing that popped up was literally "Sinnerman by the Lucifer crew and Tom Ellis". The way I gasped💀

[@CrisSelene]

Damn it, that cemetery scene made me cry... AGAIN!

[@JessicaTea]

when johnlock becomes cannon will you not upload anymore? if so i don't think i want it to happen :(

[@JessicaTea]

+Rebekah TJLC Explained (Ahhh you replied to me, lmao sorry) okay, that's rad, I love how well planned out in advance your schedule is :)

[@pinxandpurples]

+Rebekah TJLC Explained will you talk about the canon when it becomes real, and the things that happen?

[@jogreer9814]

Your videos make me so happy. As do your Funko placements in each episode.

[@rashmis6522]

You are wonderful. I found your channel 2 days ago and watched all of your videos since then. Love you. :)

[@Apollo-ux1nt]

THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE POP VINYL FIGURES IN THE BACKGROUND HOW DARE YOU

[@zoelovesnaruto]

THIS MADE ME CRY AGAIN GOD DAMN IT

[@luke1528]

i did not need an in depth analysis help the feels have just been drawn out

[@KarolKaru]

Watching the ep didn't make me cry, but watching it with your explanation on the side made me tear up. Thank you?

[@hollyhock9638]

Congratulations lol

[@amandavieirap]

what do you think about the sherlock holmes movie? the one with Downey Jr. and Jude Law... because the bbc sherlock and some old movies relates to the original work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, that saying johnlock is real, theyre in love with each other and all that... so, what can u say abt that movie?! xoxo love ur videos and analysis and what youre doing... it makes my life happier

[@EvelinaTiger]

Aaaaaghhh I LOVE the The Smiths-reference!

[@user-kv2sc4bv7r]

this made me cry a bit again... the pain

[@doevemenighedsyd]

Ha ha - at the diogenes club when John is annoyed with the silent-tradition. They forcibly keep him silent and the transition to the next scene is litteraly through his crotch, as he is forced towards the camera. Ahh you gotta love suggestive transitions ^_^

[@priyankasharma-lj3hb]

John always saying things like "people will talk" feels they are telling people to talk about it how can you ignore this now!!!! hahaha

[@margplsr3120]

Amazing done! I am happy to binge watch again!

[@JumpPixel]

Ok, I don't have an exact explanation for that. But after the fall, when Mycroft reads the newspaper, he puts his hands under his chin. It's THE Sherlock Holmes gesture I suppose. In the following scene, we see John sitting in his chair imitating this gesture with his feet. I don't know if this is a sign of honoring Sherlock or if it is a writers' hint on the complementary connection between Sherlock and John or...I don't know. However, this cannot be a coincidence, can it? Seriously, no one sits like that. :D

[@emrysscammander6627]

Moriarty is actually quite funny... the way he said 'staying' it's like he's been listening to it for like a hour or something 😂

[@JeanetHenning]

Hey, I have a quick question for you that I really hope you'll answer cause I feel like I can trust you to answer without getting emotional or assuming that I'm asking cause I haven't done my research. After binge watching all nineteen episodes, and I can promise you I'm making short work of the rest, I was wondering, how can we be sure that Johnlock is happening in this season, when the threat of Moriarty still looms over them which is something that was a key demotivator for their relationship thus far.

[@JeanetHenning]

Okay cool thank you for the reply, the more episodes I watch of your conclusions, the more excited I am for what's to come cause its becoming a legit possibility instead of a fanciful wish that most people have about their ships. Now its a matter of both dreading and hoping for the last shot of season 4 to be a shot of John and Sherlock kissing, I would be both satisified and completely unsatisfied by it. But I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. PS. It would be amazing to see a three part analysis of each of the newest episodes in the context of TJLC as they are released, just a thought.

[@flowerbreanna]

how do we know that all of the marketing and press they've done regarding season four wasnt just hinting at the fact that Sherlock has a sister... that has never been done before, it seems like a climax and perhaps it's about love of a family? i mean i would be super disapointed if this was the case as i believe johnlock would really do a good deed for the show and for viewers but my question is, how do we know that all of this hasnt been leading up to the sister?

[@sporesims9303]

When Sherlock screams: "Stop. STOP IT NOW!" You cann see his inner Smaug :D

[@oliviabroadley3206]

The bobble heads in the background I can't

[@emiliawrede8452]

Jup, I'm still here. After all these years. Pathetic I know. But I never noticed how hot this moment 39:02 is, john is such a daddy. Don't try and argue that he isn't top. New fuel for fanfictions lmao

[@crowleykinnie]

John had an earpiece that Sherlock planted on him before his fake su!c!de. His plan was to jump and carry out his plan, then hide somewhere, where he couldn't be seen and connect with the earpiece he has planted on John. Sherlock would tell him that he's alive but to act normal, then he would meet him in a safe place and explain everything to him, saying goodbye for 2 years, but with John knowing he's going to come back. But as John got hit by the biker Sherlock hired, his earpiece fell out. Sherlock couldn't make the whole "informing John" thing happen. Instead, he had to leave John without an explanation or a knowledge of Sherlock coming back. It's a conspiracy I saw somewhere on the internet, don't come at me - but it is true that Martin had an earpiece that fell out, we can even see it onscreen.

[@nataliasilva4289]

Yes, yes.. but can we, for just a minute, notice the Sherlock toy on the top shelf as a reference to the fall? It hurts my heart.

[@PoppinRandomBubbles]

I'm curious if you've ever listened to the audio "Sherlock and Jawn get it on" it's pretty hilarious and amazing how creative some people can be.

[@dilaraa977]

I love your videos ❤️ But i am confused about one matter 🤔 I think Sherlock ( fake suicide scene) didnt say Molly's name intentionally He knew that Moriarty thinks like Sherlock doesnt care about Molly However we know Sherlock care about Molly Thats Why he asked a important help from Molly 😉But if we talk about order of importance John Watson always will be first person in Sherlock's heart😍 ( sorry for my english)

[@Satopi3104]

I am confused about the I owe you statement. Moriarty is the speaker, so isn't he saying he (Moriarty) owes Sherlock a fall, not that Sherlock owes Moriarty a fall? Even if somehow the riddle element of it means that he actually means Sherlock owes Moriarty, not the other way around, I still don't quite get the I O U thing - I feel like with the amount of times it gets replayed (in speech, in the apple, in the window) there must be more behind it than a simple play on the words "fall in love" or "fall for someone". I've read M theory but it's been a while... maybe time to revisit.

[@wandatherranova4258]

He said keep your eyes fixed on me because he afraids that he thinks John cant see him :(((((( daammmnnn this eps... full of feellsss my heart cant take this... John why dont you just confessed your feelings !?

[@paulaw.8647]

great video!! I love it. thank you

[@kayla1853]

I know I shouldn't be laughing now, but the dolls, I love them :)

[@ramkumarsahu6211]

Oh you are explanation is very good. Thankyou so much.

[@alicemiller2565]

I'm cackling at the figurines

[@gkeller1031]

When Sherlock stands up on the ledge and they start to play John's theme, it doesn't sound like a violin to me. It's too low. It sounds like either a cello or a viola. I could be wrong, but that's the impression I got from it. However, it's still a string instrument, and we haven't seen anybody playing a string instrument except for Sherlock in the series.

[@rachelmarklim2021]

omg wait you're quietlyprim on tumblr?? okay ily so much more now

[@madefullmetalprobably]

AHHHHH!!!! IT'S HERE

[@ietjesiobhan]

And I’m crying. Again.

[@tootalltoosmall3618]

this episode honestly left me dead

[@Ikigaii.oo.]

40:00 literally loved it when the smiths started playing

[@NeonGreyscale]

Worth mentioning that There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is Mark's favorite song and he's a big Smiths fan ;) smithslock is real

[@meeshmosh888]

shit well there I was reading the comments before watching the video and seeing everybody crying and I was like psshhh, won't be me. Yet here I am, bawling my eyes out

[@Darkdarc95]

Anyone else notice john looking at Sherlock on her bookcase

[@seriousm.73]

28:20 John just staring...